Capacitações buscam melhorias na cadeia produtiva do açaí

Idesam and Instituto Coca-Cola Brasil are working together to develop a tracking system in açai processing agroindustries in the towns of Carauari and Manacapuru, in Amazonas. Besides researching, the partnership sets trainings for the communities that provide raw material – they are part of Coletivo Floresta – and the pulp processing agroindustries in both places.

“The tracking system, when used, is an important improvement tool to the production and it contributes to obtaining potential certifications”, emphasizes André Vianna, manager of the Idesam’s Forest Management Program.

For the forestry engineering Phillipe Schmal, researcher responsible for the project execution, “an eligible and efficient follow-up system strengthens this kind of productive chain”.

Specific teaching materials were brought to the workshops, with information specially directed to the areas attended by the project, approaching good practice in collection, processing and commercialization of the product.

Açai in familiar agriculture

In the middle of Juruá, the juice made of native açai pulp (Euterpe precatoria), also known as “açai wine”, is usually consumed with tapioca and it’s part of the local eating habits. Nowadays, the fruit extraction, besides being appreciated by the riverside communities, increases their income.

The açai pulp is very popular in seaside cities, kiosks in the U.S and even Europe. The great appreciation of the pulp, both in Brazil and in other countries, makes the product demand increase, providing greater income to the communities.

“What before was only served to own consumption or local commercialization, now receives great importance for the whole Amazon area”, says Schmal.